Thaindian News

New Delhi , May 18 (ANI): Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, has found a new critic in noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, for asking filmstars to refrain from smoking and drinking in films .

“I find his comments juvenile. People do not even have basic health facilities in villages, rural health sector is in such a mess but his concern is limited to film industry,” Bhatt said.

Earlier superstar Amitabh Bachchan in his blog had strongly protested Ramadoss’ suggestions that youngsters are encouraged to smoke when they see popular filmstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan smoking and drinking on the screen.

“How can they talk of censoring people in 21st century? All you can do is to sensitize people about these things, but censor is impossible,” the director said.

Ramadoss has already been criticised by the film fraternity for his remarks on smoking scenes in the past.

Bhatt is against censorship and also opposes interference of politicians in the area of creativity.
He says politicians comment on bollywood and cheerleaders merely to gain cheap publicity. “They want to grab some eyeballs. It is like a ping-pong game; they want to attack and be attacked to remain in news.Bhatt said.

Bhatt in 2005, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court, challenging the legislative amendments to ban smoking and drinking scenes in hindi films and television serials . ( ANI)